Symphony Kyoto - The Winner

County Hall Arts is delighted to announce emerging Israeli/British composer Bracha Bdil as the winner of the Symphony Kyoto Concours.

Bracha’s symphonic work Pictures of Kyoto was picked out from the compositions submitted by six finalist composers at the conclusion of the competition's second stage.

"We appreciated Bracha's imaginative use of different characteristics of Western classical music tradition – unique to each movement of her symphony – to tell the story of Kyoto. We loved how the high degree of theatricality in her approach brings a lively spirit to Pictures of Kyoto,” commented County Hall Arts.

"Ultimately, we felt her symphony is characterized by an overall optimism and forward-looking attitude; it has an innovative spirit, is well-written and is an engaging piece of music.”

Bracha herself said: "The work Pictures of Kyoto is a tribute to the city of Kyoto. The composition presents images from the city's history and culture. I am honoured to be part of this great story and glad that my music found a way to express the uniqueness of this special city."

County Hall Arts’ Symphony Kyoto concours invited classical music composers to submit proposals for symphonies inspired by and reflecting Kyoto’s history, culture and future. The charity received 77 entries in total. Six gifted composers, including Bracha, were subsequently commissioned to create their symphonies.

Elena Dubinets, Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, worked with County Hall Arts to curate the Symphony Kyoto submissions and compositions.

A conductor and pianist as well as a composer, Bracha’s previous honours include the Prime Minister's Award for Composition in Israel and the ACUM Award. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Music Education & Composition from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance with her earlier compositions winning awards in China, Belarus, Cuba and Serbia amongst a number of countries.

Plans for the performance of Pictures of Kyoto are currently under discussion.

We thank and congratulate all of the participants in Symphony Kyoto - the six finalists with their impressive works, in particular.